The Cinematic Review-verse

Hello, Review-Verse audience! Since it's been a month since Spider-Man: Brand New Day was released, I think it is now safe to go from my abridged review  to a more in-depth one. Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man swinging in action in Spider-Man: Brand New Day . Courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Marvel Studios, and IMDb.com. When I saw Brand New Day in 3D, it was full of surprises I didn't expect. One was Sadie Sink of Stranger Things fame was playing Jean Grey . Jean and her sister Sara Grey , who I didn't know about till I saw the movie, and their telepathic powers made them a threat to Damage Control from Homecoming.  Sadie Sink as Jean Grey in Spider-Man: Brand New Day . Courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Marvel Studios, and IMDb.com. Though I wish there was a bit more of an explanation for Jean's background, even if it was the usual Professor-X-trying-to-bring-out-her-best-self-with-her-mutation trope, I did like Sink's inclusion in the film...

Good afternoon, readers/viewers. On July 26, 2025, I had the pleasure of watching The Fantastic Four: First Steps. I really like what they did. Though I wish there was a little bit more crime-fighting and action to build the momentum of the Fantastic Four, the overall film was a great combination of sci-fi, fantasy, and family drama.  This time, it wasn't just about the Fantastic Four fighting off the one guy to save the world. It was about them overcoming their differences and working together like one of those family sitcoms, or something like that. In the end, I give it 8.5/10 for great visuals, family drama, work between the main cast, and scoring by Michael Giacchino. As I said, I just wish there was a little more action on the team's part. I'm very curious what you all have to say. Please subscribe to my  blog , YouTube,   TikTok , and  Medium , and tell me what you think. Thank you, and have a great day. #williambeaversv, #CinematicReviewverse, #fantasticfourf...

Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, Ava Starr/Ghost, Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, Yelena Belova/Black Widow, and John Walker/U.S. Agent, played by David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, and Wyatt Russell, respectively from ‘Thunderbolts*.’ Courtesy of Marvel Studios. You've seen the Marvel Cinematic Universe's attempts at superhero misfit madness with the original Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy. But it took a dark-toned yet humorous turn when they released 'Thunderbolts*' this weekend. It was funny how the titular team had sitcom-like trouble working together, specifically in the friction between Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh and John Walker, played by Wyatt Russell, and how Julia Louis-Dreyfus of 'Seinfeld' fame rose to the occasion of playing an adult snob/mean-girl stereotype in her reprisal of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Humor aside, I enjoyed seeing Pugh, Russell, and Hannah John-Kamen fight using judo and kickboxi...

Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Captain America in "Captain America: Brave New World." Courtesy of Marvel. Star-spangled butt-kicking by Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez acting like Goose from "Top Gun", running like one was in "Three Days of the Condor", alien-like make-up on Tim Blake Nelson , a suave bad guy played by Giancarlo Esposito, and Harrison Ford going from a gruff grandpa to an angry Red Hulk are all the things that emphasize the  brave  in  "Captain America: Brave New World."  Contrary to the mixed reviews from others, I enjoyed watching  Brave New World  because of the impressive character development of Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson/Captain America , more people of color in the cast, SFX in the case of Captain America and the Red Hulk, costuming, and musical scoring by Laura Karpman . Sam Wilson had to live up to the Captain America mantle the hard way, and he did great. Taking place a few years after The Falcon and the Winter Soldi...

From a John Wick- style fight with "Bye Bye Bye" in the background to the tricky yet humorous inclusion of past Marvel characters, Deadpool and Wolverine did have its great moments in showing the characters played by Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman embracing their inner heroes, even with more than their fair share of bloodshed on the battlefield and rocky budding friendship along the way. After his last time-travel adventure, Wade Wilson/Deadpool, played by Reynolds, finds himself in trouble with the Time Variance Authority from Loki. He switches from time-traveling to multiverse traveling to stop a corrupt TVA agent, Paradox, played by Matthew McFayden, and protect his loved ones. Along the way, a variant of Logan/Wolverine, played by Jackman, ends up reluctantly teaming with Deadpool while he's dealing with some baggage of his own. And I don't just mean Logan hiding his insecurities behind beer or cigars. I didn't think too highly of the movie at first because I...

Hello, people. So, word around the superhero movie biz is that Marvel and DC are going through superhero fatigue. And while I do respect the cast and crew for working so hard, I believe the end result is said fatigue. For probably the last two years, I’ve been catching up with some comics of Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, X-Men, even Flashpoint to see whether the films stuck to the original material, were just Hollywood big-budget rewrites, or both. For example, Doctor Strange’s amulet, the Eye of Agamotto, is not an Infinity Gem in the comics as it was portrayed in his first film starring Benedict Cumberbatch. While it did capture his tale of damage to his hands and arising from arrogance to open-mindedness about sorcery, the rest of it was probably Hollywood trying to link it with the Avengers’ Infinity Saga. And Flashpoint , spoiler alert, in the comics, Thomas Wayne was alive, Bruce wasn’t, but Thomas became Batman, and the world and Justice League were falling apart. The Flash barely...

Brie Larson as Carol Danvers in Marvel’s 'Captain Marvel.' Courtesy of Disney. 'Captain Marvel' plays off of other superhero films I’ve seen, but it was a great starring vehicle for Brie Larson. It’s like Guardians of the Galaxy and Wonder Woman combined, and Larson still could stand on her own as a true superhero. With hilarious chemistry between Larson, Jude Law, and Samuel L. Jackson, colorful costume designs, and high-flying adventure, 'Captain Marvel' was a stupendous example of a powerful woman, while also creating hype for the forthcoming 'Avengers: Endgame.' “Captain Marvel” takes place during 1995, when Carol Danvers crash lands in Earth following an attack by the alien shapeshifters, Skrulls. With the fate of the Earth in the balance, Danvers must team up with young Nick Fury (played by Jackson) to end the extraterrestrial war. Along the way, Danvers must figure out the story behind her powers, but most importantly, who she is. Larson was the p...

Photo Courtesy of imdb.com After two years of preparing a third role, Paul Rudd made a valorous comeback in Peyton Reed's new MCU film, Ant-Man the Wasp . What his character lacks in size, Rudd makes up for in heroism. As for the rest of the film, it has nonstop playful banter, touching moments of keeping families together, robust fighting sequences, and coruscating visual effects that make it another hit for Marvel. Rudd and Evangeline Lilly should be commended for their roles as Ant-Man and Wasp, respectively. After the disaster from helping Captain America, Scott Lang (Rudd) is given a chance to help Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and his daughter, Hope van Dyne (Lilly) bring back her long-lost mother, Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) from a quantum realm. While trying to accomplish this task and reconcile his own familial issues, Lang is forced to ferret out a federal agent on his tail (Randall Park), a black market dealer (Walton Goggins), a ghost (Hannah John-Ka...

Photo Courtesy of Forbes In over two hours, it was astounding to see everyone back after two years. Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War was a phenomenal combination of visual effects and animation, humor, music, and heroic journeys. Directed by the Russo Brothers ( Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War ), the overall ensemble was well put together for this major box-office success. Thanos (Josh Brolin) threatens to wreak havoc on Earth and the rest of the Galaxy as he acquires the Infinity Stones. After years of strained relationships and a hiatus, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes (Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans) will have to put aside their egos and come together to save the universe, before Thanos acquires the power to rule the “suffering” world we call home. And it’s not just the Avengers; it will take them, the Mystics, the Wakandans, and the Guardians of the Galaxy to either preserve the planet or avenge it, to fight battl...

Wakanda Forever Marvel Studios went with a predominantly African-American cast, invigorating visual effects, and moving musical score and soundtrack in their newest film, Black Panther. Ryan Coogler  ( Creed ) poured his heart out and delivered an exceptional direction in this superhero movie. The ensemble cast arranges from Chadwick Boseman who has a knack for playing historic and iconic figures of African American descent ( 42, Marshall ) to Andy Serkis, who is gifted in roles with motion-capture ( Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Star Wars: The Last Jedi ). Taking place after the events of Captain America: Civil War, T'Challa is given the mantle as king of the African nation, Wakanda. But threats to overthrow the throne and control the nation's supply of vibranium force T'Challa to fight for his people, and eventually, the world, as Black Panther. The actors' performances should be commended, for in the story, many people had different boundaries to face and d...

Photo Courtesy of imdb.com Chris Hemsworth really brought the thunder for the 3rd film in the  Thor  media franchise! With spectacular special effects, excessive humor, and ferocious fight sequences,  Thor: Ragnarok  was another excellent feat by Marvel Studios this year! Thor: Ragnarok  revolves around the fall of Asgard through the arrival of Odin's (Anthony Hopkins) first-born daughter Hela (Cate Blanchett). Once Odin finally passes, it is up to Thor and his nemesis and adoptive brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) to save what is left of their people. With assistance from estranged Avenger Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), hard-drinking lone warrior Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), and a slew of other quick-witted, comedic, and alien-like beings, Thor has a chance to conserve his father's legacy and save the world! Definitely an excellent direction by Taika Waititi.

Photo Courtesy of imdb.com Spider-Man: Homecoming was literally a swing into summer excellence! Tom Holland reprised his role as the long-time Marvel superhero with comic relief and power and it was amazing and spectacular in every sense of the word! The film revolves around Peter Parker trying to balance his high school responsibilities, smile trying to save New York as friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. It doesn't take more than grappling with Adrian Toomes and many other weapons dealing criminals, while also trying to prove himself to Tony Stark, for him to shoot webs at every corruption that comes between Parker's friends and family and save the day. It was a very creative and influential summer movie and I can't wait to see what Tom Holland has to offer next year.